We watched "Michael Clayton" the other night (which I think is the lamest possible name for this movie—really, that's the best they could come up with?). It was interesting and enjoyable but thoroughly formulaic—there was never any question in my mind what would happen in the end. (Gee, I wonder whether the company that manufactures a harmful pesticide will cheat the plaintiffs in the class-action suit?) George Clooney was just fine in the title role, but he didn't knock me out. In truth, anyone could have done well in that role. Tom Wilkinson, Sydney Pollack, and Tilda Swinton, on the other hand, were all exceptionally good. (Weirdly enough, Clooney didn't even seem as drop-dead gorgeous as usual, either. What's up with that?)
So, all in all, if you enjoy legal thrillers, and you like George Clooney (who doesn't, on both counts?), by all means see this one. There's nothing terribly violent or upsetting, the plot unfolds in a way that's neither too predictable nor too hard to follow, the characters are interesting—it's just not a mind-blower of a movie. Which, as far as I'm concerned, is OK most nights.
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